Hello Coosada Elementary Families!

What a great opportunity I have been given to serve as the new Instructional Coach for Coosada Elementary School. I look forward to working with our accomplished teachers while collaborating, modeling lessons, providing effective professional development, and sharing research based resources and strategies. My 31 years of experience in the classroom has developed in me a passion to give back to teachers, to support, guide, and uplift them as they carry out an invaluable undertaking; teaching our youth!

I began my career in Alabaster, Alabama, with Shelby County Public Schools, where I taught for 22 years. From Shelby County, I moved to the Atlanta Metro area and taught in Gwinnett County Public Schools for eight years. GCPS is the 12th largest school system in our nation and what an opportunity to provoke growth and awareness in my profession! However, to say I was grateful to get back to Sweet Home Alabama is an understatement. During the summer of 2021, I was blessed with the opportunity to move to Montgomery, Alabama. I began teaching for Elmore County Public Schools at Wetumpka Elementary School last year until accepting the position of Instructional Coach here at CES!

My classroom experience includes teaching all grades first through eighth (17 of those years in first grade), ESL, Gifted, Reading Recovery, and Reading/LLI Specialist. It is these experiences I hope to pull from and implement as I serve our Coosada Elementary teachers. 

I received my Bachelors in Elementary Education from Troy University, my Masters in Elementary Education from the University of Montevallo, and I just recently completed my certification in Instructional Leadership and Administration, also from Troy University.

I treasure spending time with my family, friends, and loved ones, including my two beautiful daughters, Jillian (29) and Gracie (24). I also love reading inspiring books, home decorating, and Crossfit. 

Looking forward to a dynamic 2022-2023 school year with each of you!

Gretchen Crim

Instructional Coach